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Second trimester

15 weeks pregnant

At 15 weeks you are in the second trimester, which runs from 14 weeks to just before 28 weeks. Your baby is growing quickly, fine hair called lanugo is forming, and hearing is starting to develop. Some people notice new aches, skin changes or more discharge.

This page covers 15 weeks 0 days to 15 weeks 6 days (15+0 to 15+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 15.

Botanical illustration of an apple

About the size of an apple

Typical estimated weight 115 g (4 oz) at 15+0, about 140 g (5 oz) by 15+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • Fine, soft hair called lanugo is growing, and eyebrows and eyelashes are forming.2,3
  • Your baby's eyelids are still closed, but the eyes are already sensitive to light.2,3
  • Hearing is starting to develop around now. Over the coming weeks your baby may begin to pick up sounds such as your heartbeat, your voice and your digestion.2
  • The lungs are developing, and your baby uses amniotic fluid to practice breathing movements.4
  • Bones are hardening and muscles keep developing. Your baby has been moving and stretching for some time, but you probably can't feel it yet.3,5

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Some people feel sharp pains at the sides of the bump, known as round ligament pain. Resting with your feet up may help.2
  • More vaginal discharge is common because of increased blood flow to the pelvic area. Contact your midwife or doctor if its color, smell or texture changes, or if you have itching, soreness or pain when you pee.2
  • Itchy skin is common. Unperfumed moisturizer, loose cotton clothing and cool baths may help, but tell your midwife or doctor if the itching gets worse, especially at night.2
  • You may notice bleeding gums, nosebleeds, headaches, bloating, constipation or heartburn. Some people also get darker patches of skin on the face (chloasma) or thicker, shinier hair. Not everyone has these changes.2
  • As your bump grows you may feel less steady on your feet. It's fine to ask for a seat on public transport.2

Care around this week

  • In the US, the anatomy ultrasound is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks, so it may come up in the next few weeks. UK: the 20-week screening scan is usually done between 18 and 21 weeks.6,7
  • UK: a routine midwife appointment is offered at around 16 weeks. Your blood pressure and urine are usually checked, and you get the results of the blood tests taken at your booking appointment.8,9
  • Pelvic floor exercises and staying active are common topics at this stage. NHS guidance suggests working up to 150 minutes of exercise a week, starting with as little as 10 minutes a day.2

Questions to ask your provider

  • Is the side pain I'm feeling typical round ligament pain, and what would make it worth calling about?
  • When will my anatomy scan be scheduled?
  • What kinds of exercise suit me at this stage?
  • Are there any results from my earlier blood tests or screening that we should go over?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.11,12,13,14

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.13,15
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.13,14,16,17
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.10,13
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.11,13,14
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.11,13,14
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.11,13,18
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.17,18
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.13,14,17
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.13,14
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.19
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.13,20
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.13,21

Questions about 15 weeks

Can my baby hear me at 15 weeks?

Hearing is starting to develop around now. Your baby may soon pick up sounds such as your voice and heartbeat, and hearing keeps maturing over the next few weeks.2,4

Should I be able to feel my baby move at 15 weeks?

Usually not yet. Most people first feel movement somewhere between 16 and 24 weeks. If you've been pregnant before you may notice it from about 16 weeks, and in a first pregnancy it's common not to feel anything until about 20 weeks or later.5,10

Is it normal to have more discharge at 15 weeks?

Yes. More discharge is common in pregnancy because of increased blood flow to the pelvic area. Get it checked if the color, smell or texture changes, or if you have itching, soreness or pain when you pee.2

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. 15 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Fetal development: week-by-week stages of pregnancyCleveland Clinic
  5. Quickening in pregnancyCleveland Clinic
  6. Ultrasound ExamsAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  7. 20-week screening scanNHS (England)
  8. Your antenatal appointmentsNHS (England)
  9. 16 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  10. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  11. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  12. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  13. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  14. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  15. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  16. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  17. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  18. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  20. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  21. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy